A midday WhatsApp message arrived from a German traveler named Enes. On his booking form, he chose the general option: Educational Tobacco & Cigar Tour.
October in Jember is a transition period. Most of the tobacco plants in the fields have already been harvested, which means the signature green expanse of the plantations is changing seasons.
In an update the day before the scheduled date, October 9, I mentioned that the planting season was over this month and that we wouldn’t find green fields or harvested leaves inside the drying barns. However, Enes didn’t mind: ‘Let’s see whatever is possible.’
The next day I sent a message: ‘Hello, are you ready for the tour at 12:30?’ ‘Yes sir,’ he replied. I double-checked by calling, and we were certain that the tour would start this afternoon.
Arriving at the hotel, they greeted me warmly—Enes along with his wife. I asked to chat and briefly explain the itinerary details, then took the initiative to order a Grab service for the 40-minute ride to the cigar factory.
The Kuala Lumpur Transit Puzzle
Upon arriving at Dwipa Nusantara Tobacco (DNT), we were warmly welcomed by the staff’s hospitality. As usual, to open up, we were offered warm coffee or tea, and of course, various cigar sticks from different series were displayed in front of us. We enjoyed two featured vitolas: Petit Edmundo Maduro and Petit Edmundo Connecticut.
Tasting Notes:
- Petit Edmundo Maduro: A rich dark wrapper with intense cocoa, spicy, and leather aromas.
- Petit Edmundo Connecticut: A smooth golden-brown wrapper with a slightly creamy and nutty character.
We were presented with everything from cigar processing to aging. A female staff member guided us into the cigar production room. Her explanation was concise, relaxed, and entertaining—without overly complex technical terms, she showed us step-by-step from leaf sorting, binding, to hand-rolling.
Impressed by the quality, Enes decided to order two boxes of Edmundo cigars to take back to his country. However, a small logistical hurdle arose: before returning to Germany, they had to transit in Kuala Lumpur, where airport customs regulations enforce a tobacco quantity limit (a maximum of 20 cigars or equivalent to 200 grams). After careful calculation, we agreed to bring 1 box of cigars for each person, keeping it safe according to airline regulations.
Golden Hour at the Tobacco Roof Barn
Leaving the factory, the Grab driver we ordered actually arrived earlier than expected. I asked the driver to wait a few minutes so we could continue our journey to the curing barn area.
A serene afternoon atmosphere with traditional ambient music inside the car and dropping temperatures accompanied our ride toward one of the Tobacco Barn complexes.
I looked for the person in charge of the location, who then directed us to an active roof barn currently occupied by several local workers. The workers greeted us with beaming faces, delighted to meet foreign tourists. Using spontaneous local language, they explained how the soil must first be tilled for months prior to planting so that it is ready for use again. I served as a communication bridge, translating those field explanations into fluent English for Enes and his wife.
We were invited to step inside the spacious roof barn with its bamboo construction. As the warehouse keeper enthusiastically explained the inner structure, several other fellow workers started gathering—curious to see the guests who had caught their attention.
To make the atmosphere even warmer, I passed out Cigarillos. Laughter and conversation flowed naturally, turning that afternoon moment into a very lively cultural exchange.
The 7 PM Train
We concluded our visit at the roof barn area and skipped the Tobacco Museum session, as they had to head straight to the station that night.
When I booked a Grab back to the hotel, a remarkable coincidence happened: we got the exact same driver as the previous trip! A unique and pleasant little moment to wrap up the afternoon journey.
Stopping briefly at an ATM to settle the cigar payment, we arrived at the hotel feeling relieved and satisfied. Before parting ways, Enes said to me:
‘The tour is well worth it.’
I smiled and replied, ‘sure and you’ve met the right person who truly understands tobacco, cigars, and its people.’
We shared a warm handshake and a cigar as a token of appreciation for a great day together.
A memorable tour in the city of cigars.
